Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

need female friends to meet up with

(30 Posts)
meet Thu 17-Oct-19 21:06:24

I am 60 and very lonely, desperate to make friends that I can go shopping with or just meet up for lunch. I was working until recently but since than have lost touch with all work colleagues.I think its easier for men as they just meet in the pub.I have tried online groups but that did not help- I feel like giving up- please advice.

Elegran Thu 17-Oct-19 21:28:23

There are lots of little local groups of Gransnetters who meet for lunch and a chat, meet. If you go to www.gransnet.com/forums/meet_ups_where_are_you you will find links to the threads (conversations) where they arrange things. Click on one near where you live and take it from there. If there is no-one meeting near you, start a thread yourself - be sure to put the area in the title of it, so that it catches the eye of posters living nearby.

anniezzz09 Thu 17-Oct-19 22:18:12

I can highly recommend the WI. It is the most fantastic organisation, you will be welcomed with open arms.

MiniMoon Thu 17-Oct-19 22:42:45

I made friends by going to my local Knit & Natter group.
Your local library will be able to tell you about groups in your area.

NanKate Thu 17-Oct-19 23:31:25

I agree with annie I’ve some great friends in the WI. We go on trips, to pubs for lunch, have Xmas parties, play Rummykub, craft and chat, book club, you name it we do it. ?

dragonfly46 Thu 17-Oct-19 23:39:10

Try NWR it is much more informal than WI. I have just got in from a hilarious evening.

Pittcity Fri 18-Oct-19 08:34:17

Where are you meet?
There may be gransnetters nearby.

meet Fri 18-Oct-19 09:38:43

I am in Epsom, Surrey. There are no Gransnetters meet up in my area.

silverlining48 Fri 18-Oct-19 09:52:59

Why not start one yourself. There must be lots of grans in the area, it just needs a post on the GN meet up site.
Otherwise the usual groups already mentioned. I understand how you feel as I have friends but hardly anyone nearby to meet fir coffee etc. So do understand. Have you thought if volunteering, there’s lots out there.
I started a GN meet up group locally a couple of years ago and have met a very nice gran who doesn’t live far from me and we have become good friends.
Good luck to you.

Elegran Fri 18-Oct-19 12:19:50

You took the plunge and started this thread - it doesn't take a lot of work or organising ability to start another thread suggesting that a few Epsom Gransnetters might like to meet you for a coffee or a lunch. Even if only one or two other people who respond, you will be able to meet and chat to them, and who knows where that could lead? If no-one ever started that one thread, the other GN groups that meet up would never have got together.

Do you know of a pleasant cafe ? Mention it in your opening post, something like, "Are there any Epsom grans who would like to meet me for a coffee and natter in XXXX cafe in XXXX Street, Epsom some time in the next couple of weeks? Which day would be best?"

Be brave - post it and see what happens! But do put Epsom in the thread title - a lot of people just post that they would love to meet others, but don't say where, forgetting that those reading it could be in Thurso or Tintagel, or even Australia.

Grammaretto Fri 18-Oct-19 12:58:56

U3A have groups all over the place.
WI too ofcourse. Join a choir or a book club - or both!
Have you thought of doing some study in something just for fun?
Painting or French or something you are interested in. I'm a firm believer that if you do something for yourself the loneliness will lesson and you will meet likeminded folk.
And if all else fails, volunteer! Everywhere is crying out for volunteers.

jeanie99 Fri 18-Oct-19 21:42:43

try U3A
there may be a number of groups within your area and each one has a list of interest groups.
You could be busy each and every day if you have the time.
Best of luck

Barmeyoldbat Fri 18-Oct-19 22:17:13

U3A, found it far friendly than the WI as it tended to be smaller groups.

WOODMOUSE49 Fri 18-Oct-19 23:47:20

Someone has recommended U3A to me as well. I live between 2 groups here in Cornwall. Their websites are very good. Lots of of different activity groups.

When I joined GN, it was disappointing to see only two meet up groups in the county. Both had no recent postings. I tried to start one and got two replies.

After moving 300 miles, I miss visiting my friends and the shopping trips + lunch with them.

Grammaretto Sat 19-Oct-19 16:05:30

Our local U3A are soliciting for new members. They seem to have a lot of activities. I may consider joining it myself.

jools1310 Sun 20-Oct-19 21:25:39

Why don’t you reunite with some of your colleagues, that presumably you’ve got lots in common with?

lemongrove Sun 20-Oct-19 21:50:00

Lots of good advice here, also look for local book groups.
Usually the first two meetings of your local WI are free of expense, so go along and see what you think of it.
There are bound to be local Gransnetters where you are, so start a meet up thread.Good luck.

Urmstongran Sun 20-Oct-19 21:52:20

Good luck meet please don’t give up. I’m sure something good will happen if you just give it a little thought. Until then, us virtual friends are always here for you!
?

annep1 Sun 20-Oct-19 22:14:40

U3A is a good start.

TATT Sun 20-Oct-19 22:45:23

Thanks for the link for the ‘Meets’ forum, Elegran.
I’ve had a look and would like to post, but I’m blowed if I can see how to do it.
There’s no text box that I can see.
Can anyone help, please? Thank you.

Elegran Mon 21-Oct-19 08:32:21

TATT Above the list of the links to Meets that have already been organised, it says "Start a new discussion" If you select that, you will get to a textbox where you can start up a thread for the meet you want to initiate. I hope you gets lots of replies and make some new friends.

Juliet27 Mon 21-Oct-19 08:40:15

Have a look at togetherfriends.com

boodymum67 Sat 26-Oct-19 13:14:14

Hi, there`s a fairly new thing called social prescribing. It`s a body which has all the info on what groups are in each area. Ask at your GPs for help.

Libraries may also have posters up about such groups.

Look on line for local social groups.

In my area we have a Staying Well group and I go to a Chit Chat group through them.

Hope you find something x

kaycee Sat 26-Oct-19 16:37:07

I agree with others who have suggested U3A - link to the one in Epsom
u3asites.org.uk/epsom-ewell/welcome
They have a Lunch Club Group which sounds fun. The Library is usually a good source of info for local groups and boodymum67 is right re social prescribing. When we located to a new area following retirement I volunteered at a local charity shop - it is fun and I have made friends, volunteering is a good way to get yourself out there, especially if you choose something that involves talking and meeting people - Library perhaps? I think the most difficult thing is to make a start and you have by asking on here. Good luck

kaycee Sat 26-Oct-19 16:53:49

Hi me again - just noticed this on the Meet up page for Epsom & Ewell
'Hello myself and one other have planned a meet up at Ewell Court Garden Centre next Thursday 31st October at 11am. Anyone else in the area very welcome just the two of us at the moment'